* * * * *

"Poor fellow," said Sylvia, beguiled by Master Rex's specious
paragraphs, "I think he was not to blame."

* * * * *

"Mr. Bates was below in the cabin, and on being summoned by Cheshire to
surrender, with great courage attempted a defence. Barker fired at him
through the skylight, but fearful of the lives of the Commandant's
wife and child, I struck up his musket, and the ball passed through the
mouldings of the stern windows. At the same time, the soldiers whom we
had bound in the folksle forced up the hatch and came on deck. Cheshire
shot the first one, and struck the other with his clubbed musket. The
wounded man lost his footing, and the brig lurching with the rising
tide, he fell into the sea. This was--by the blessing of God--the only
life lost in the whole affair.

"Mr. Bates, seeing now that we had possession of the deck, surrendered,
upon promise that the Commandant's wife and child should be put ashore
in safety. I directed him to take such matters as he needed, and
prepared to lower the jolly-boat. As she swung off the davits, Captain
Frere came alongside in the whale-boat, and gallantly endeavoured to
board us, but the boat drifted past the vessel. I was now determined to
be free--indeed, the minds of all on board were made up to carry through
the business--and hailing the whale-boat, swore to fire into her unless
she surrendered. Captain Frere refused, and was for boarding us again,
but the two soldiers joined with us, and prevented his intention. Having
now got the prisoners into the jolly-boat, we transferred Captain Frere
into her, and being ourselves in the whale-boat, compelled Captain Frere
and Mr. Bates to row ashore. We then took the jolly-boat in tow, and
returned to the brig, a strict watch being kept for fear that they
should rescue the vessel from us.

"At break of day every man was upon deck, and a consultation took place
concerning the parting of the provisions. Cheshire was for leaving them
to starve, but Lesly, Shiers, and I held out for an equal division.
After a long and violent controversy, Humanity gained the day, and the
provisions were put into the whale-boat, and taken ashore. Upon the
receipt of the provisions, Mr. Bates thus expressed himself: 'Men, I did
not for one moment expect such kind treatment from you, regarding the
provisions you have now brought ashore for us, ou